The Indie Lee Gift Set includes the company's Body Balm, Body Scrub and Moisturizing Oil.

Courtesy photo

As consumers get more savvy about what's in their food, what's in our personal care and beauty products often gets by us. Yet many major manufacturers continue to use ingredients considered to be toxic.

After learning that environmental pollutants may have been part of the cause of the brain tumor she'd had removed in 2009, Indie Lee got busy. Research led her to create her company Indie Lee & Co. and her ever-growing line of skin and beauty care products made with natural ingredients.

Lee said she believes in transparency. She'll tell you what's in her products and why she uses these ingredients.

What you won't find in them are petroleum or petrochemicals, talc, parabens or chemical fragrances. And her products aren't tested on animals.

There also aren't any genetically modified ingredients. Lee says when she sources her ingredients, she looks for pesticide-free, GMO-free, organic ingredients.

"The majority of the ingredients I use are organically certified," Lee said.

Lee's mantra for living and her inspiration for her beauty product collection is "what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in it."

As someone who deals with rheumatoid arthritis and dry skin, Lee works with chemists and pharmacists to find natural solutions for skin care.

Lee's products include a line for women and one for babies.

She has her kids test her products. "If I don't feel comfortable putting it on my kids, I would never bring it out," she said.

I tried her Body Scrub. While I loved the coconut citrus scent and the ease of using it in the shower, I wasn't happy about its oily feel. But after following directions, toweling off and dressing, I realized the "oily" feeling was gone. What was left was silky, smooth skin.

Lee's research showed the benefits of clay and carrot seed oil for your complexion. Her Carrot French Clay Cleansing Bar changed her complexion, handling her adult acne.

"From a hormonal standpoint, it's amazing," Lee says.

Her Facial Serum — an anti-aging serum that slows the appearance of wrinkles — is made with the stem cells of the Uttwiler Spatlaube, a rare Swiss apple sometimes found in luxury beauty products. Research discovered that these stem cells help to regenerate cells. Looking at how to use it in skin care, her Facial Serum is the result.

Lee's Squalane oil — an odorless, colorless, nonstaining, non-greasy oil — is derived from olives. Our body naturally produces it but starting in our 20s, we produce less and less. Squalane helps keep skin soft and helps fight aging. Just a few drops a day does the trick.

Thinking ahead toward the holidays? Indie Lee's product line includes a gift set of its three most popular products — Body Scrub, Body Balm and Moisturizing Oil.

Lee has several principles she works toward with her products.

First: "Just because something's good for you and healthy doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to afford it."

The majority of her products are affordable. Of the one that's higher — the Facial Serum — Lee said

companies that use the rare apple in their products price them almost three times higher than she will.

Second is educating and empowering consumers.

"Be smart. Read the ingredients. Take it on little by little (so) it's not overwhelming," she said. And, ever pragmatic, her website shows how to make her products. It's a case of "if you're not going to buy mine, here's how you make it."